Can I Help Improve My Child’s Eyesight?

Is it possible to improve your eyesight? If you got here by typing “improve your eyesight” into a search engine you invariably found many references claiming ways to help. The answer to this question isn’t as simple as it seems – there are some methods of improving your eyesight for some conditions that are backed by peer reviewed research. The Myopia Institute provides scientific peer reviewed research behind all claims and information provided on the website.

Myopia (Nearsightedness): True myopia exists as a result of an eyeball that is too long for it’s optics. There is no way to reverse true myopia through any kind of eye exercise, as no eye exercise is successful in reducing the axial length of the eyeball. Pseudomyopia is a condition where the eye overfocuses, and there are methods of helping calm down an overactive focus mechanism, resulting in improved vision. Pseudomyopia may be aided with reading glasses, bifocals or eye exercises, but true myopia, while it may be controlled by some of these methods, cannot be reversed by them. Myopia may be reversed through vision correction surgeries like LASIK, PRK and Cataract removal and there are several methods of controlling myopic progression such as Orthokeratology (OrthoK), myopia control contact lenses, Atropinization (using eyedrops) and in some cases wearing bifocal eyeglasses.

Hyperopia (Farsightedness): Hyperopia exists as a result of an eyeball that is too short for it’s optics. People with hyperopia of low levels are likely to suffer from eyestrain symptoms more than blurry vision. People with higher amounts of hyperopia might suffer from blur and eyestrain as well. Hyperopic vision and symptoms can be treated with standard eyeglasses and contact lenses, and in some cases the symptoms of eyestrain that some hyperopes suffer may be resolved temporarily through vision therapy. Hyperopia can be reversed through certain vision correction surgeries and temporarily reversed through orthokeratology (orthoK) but there are no known methods of controlling the progression of hyperopia – it usually runs a course and increases with age.

Astigmatism exists as a result of an eyeball that is elongated and/or misshapen in some way. Astigmatism can cause blur at distance and near and can be reversed with vision correction surgeries like LASIK and PRK and managed with vision correction procedures like OrthoK. There is no vision therapy that can offer help for progressive vision decrease with astigmatism.

Many studies demonstrate statistically which methods stabilize changing vision due to progressive myopia with the greatest success, Orthokeratology (orthok) has been demonstrated to have the greatest effect.. Orthokeratology is a vision shaping treatment which involves wearing orthokeratology lenses (ortho k lenses) overnight, that gently reshape the surface of the eye. Upon removal in the morning, clear vision is achieved often lasting the entire day into the evening.

Options such as OrthoK, cornea refractive therapy includingparagon crt (vision shaping treatment) are particularly helpful when seeking to improve eyesight in children, and reduce change in vision , specifically myopia in children and may, in some cases reduce the risk of children with myopia advancing to high myopia. If you are interested in managing nearsightedness and are concerned about vision changes, please contact The Myopia Institute at (301) 363-0060 or read through our website to learn about other options for improving your eyesight.